saw this video online of jstar climbing at a crag called "the hoop" somewhere in the wasatch. Anybody heard of it? Location? Info? Looks cool. I pride myself in knowing the crags of Utah and I have never heard of this one.

That would be the climbing at Hoop Lake. I climbed there once 15+ years ago or so. I remember the rope that ran along the ledge at the base of the good routes and that the warm-ups were sharp. It's a pretty place and was worth the drive, though I think that the bugs ate us up that day.

I think that we got a photocopied topo from the BD store in SLC years ago, which I have long since lost. You could stop in and ask there or at IME. Somebody at utahclimbers.com might have some info on Hoop Lake, although prying it out of them is another story. Or just go and explore, the area is worth the day trip anyway. Have fun.

There is, or was an attitude (that I think is irrational) that the crag should be kept a secret. I'm pretty sure you could put it on the cover of Climbing every month for a year and it would never get crowded...it's just too far off the beaten path.

There is a classic 13- called "Blue", that's the only route name I know. It's been almost 10 years since I've been there.

Actually, I've heard recent reports of it being crowded. I doesn't take many given the situation with the fixed line.

In the video, it looks like Leif isn't clipped into the fixed line. He just standing there in awe of J-Star while perched at the top of a 100', sharp adze, 70 - 80 degree slab. Be careful. Have some kind of lanyard system prepared, so you can move safely around on that line, on and off of the small ledge with other people. I've often fantasized about cantilevered decking while hanging around up there.

that's some seriously good limestone; best i've ever tugged on. that place would feel crowded with more than 2 parties. even with the hassle of the tether, the hoop is a top notch experience. damn i need a vacation!

There's at least 2 bolted lines on the other side of the road. We didn't climb them, but they look 10-11ish. I guess. There's room for many more routes, but I wasn't too stoked about the cheese grater effect.